Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. Has it never surprised you that there should be such sentences as these in the Book of inspiration — secular proverbs interspersed with spiritual proverbs — the secular and the spiritual all put together without any division or classification. The hard and fast line which is made to divide the secular from the religious is fraught with innumerable injuries. I. WHAT IS THIS FEAR OF THE LORD? Fear stands for true godliness. It is a short way of expressing real faith, hope, love, holiness of living, and every grace. There is a something more tender, more touching, more real about fear than there is about some people's faith, which faith may very readily verge upon presumption. But in speaking of fear we must always discriminate. There is a fear with which a Christian has nothing to do. What is the fear that a well-ordered, well-disciplined, beloved child has of his own father? 1. He has an awe of him which arises out of admiration of his character. 2. He is sure to be very deferential in his father's presence. 3. He fears at any time to intrude upon his father's prerogative. 4. He dreads everything which might cause his father's displeasure. II. WHEREIN IS THE CONFIDENCE OF GODLY FEAR SEEN? The history of men that have feared God may enlighten us on this matter, e.g., Job, Habakkuk. The confidence will not only appear in time of trouble, it will appear also in acts of obedience. The same confidence will develop itself when persecution is involved, and when we have to bear witness to the truth. III. WHEREUPON IS THIS CONFIDENCE BUILT? They that fear God know God to be infinitely loving to them, to be immutable and unchangeable, to be unsearchingly wise and omnipotently strong on their behalf; they know that an atonement has been made for their sins, and that the Spirit of God dwells in them. IV. HOW THIS CONFIDENCE AND THIS FEAR ARE FAVOURED OF GOD. The promise is, "His children shall have a place of refuge." Those who fear God and have confidence in Him are His children. There is a heaven lying asleep within those words, "His children." For the "place of refuge" finds illustration in Noah, Lot, Israel, Ruth, Elijah, Christians at Pella, etc. Moses Stuart says the text means that the children of those who fear God shall have a place of refuge. And there are many precious texts that speak thus of our children. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.WEB: In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children. |
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